This page is about endorphins and their fascinating natural effects on pain management. You may have heard much about the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals that can act as pain relievers and happiness boosters. But what are endorphins,  exactly?    The answer to this question can be found in the word's root. It consists of prefix endo- (derived from endogenous) and suffix   -rphin    (derived from morphine), literally to mean "a morphine-like substance originating from within the body". In other words, endorphins are the natural pain relievers the body produces. They have a lot in common with prescription opiate painkillers (e.g., Morphine, Oxycodone, Codeine, Methadone, etc.).   Similar to opiate pain killers, endorphins produce analgesia  (pain relief)   by binding to opioid receptors at both pre- and post-synaptic nerve terminals, primarily exerting their effect through presynaptic binding. When bound, a cascade of interactions results in inhibition of the release of key substances involved in the transmission of pain. While it might seem scary to know that endorphins work in a similar way to mood-controlling drugs like morphine, rest assured, they provide the benefits without all the risks. Mind-altering substances commonly cause side effects, including mood swings, fatigue, brain fog, and even addiction — but there is really no downside to releasing more natural endorphins to feel better.   In contrast to the opiate drugs, activation of the opiate receptors by the body's endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence.
Stress and pain are the two most common factors leading to the release of endorphins that are involved in our natural reward circuits and are related to important activities like eating, drinking, physical fitness, and sexual intercourse. They minimize discomfort and pain and maximize pleasure. This helps us to continue functioning despite injury or stress.   In addition to decreased feelings of pain, secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria, modulation of appetite, release of sex hormones, and enhancement of the immune response. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer adverse effects of stress. Endorphins have been suggested as modulators of the so-called "runner's high" that athletes achieve with prolonged exercise.  Certain foods, such as hot spices (chili peppers, ginger, etc.) and chocolate, can also lead to enhanced secretion of endorphins. In the case of hot spices, the spicier they are, the more endorphins are secreted. The release of endorphins upon ingesting chocolate likely explains the comforting feelings many associate with it and the craving for chocolate in times of stress. In addition, there are over 300 naturally occurring chemicals in chocolate, and some of them can affect the human brain via the release of particular neurotransmitters (like Serotonin and Dopamine). Neurotransmitters are precisely what they sound like; they send signals back and forth between neurons. Certain neurotransmitters can be responsible for your emotions and the way you feel. 

Even if you don't participate in strenuous athletics, you can try various activities, such as practicing meditation, to increase your body's endorphin levels. Studies have shown that therapeutic modalities used in Chiropractic care, such as Spinal Manipulative Therapy, Physical Therapy, Exercise, and   Electrical Stimulation, can also stimulate the release of endorphins.